Beth Tweddle

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Beth Tweddle to join students for campus sports event

Team GB gymnast and Olympic medallist Beth Tweddle will help launch I Am Team GB at the University of Hull, ahead of a busy summer of sport including the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

The six-time European title winner will be taking part in a ‘Give it a Go’ event designed for people to take part in various different sports they might not normally have the chance to try.

The event marks the start of I Am Team GB the ‘Festival of sport’ which is presented by Team GB partner Toyota, and sees a programme of events being hosted across the nation on August 14 and 15, drawing on the excitement and success of Britain’s athletes in Tokyo to encourage people to get up and get active.

The launch event is being hosted by the University and Team GB in collaboration with Hull University Students' Union and Hull Sport, on international Olympic Day (June 23), which marks exactly one month to go until the start of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Sian Doherty, President of Sport, Hull University Students Union, said: “I’m so thrilled to be involved in the I Am Team GB event and to be supporting the student groups putting on different ‘Give It A Go’ sessions. I’m glad we can end what has been a very challenging year for sport on a high and provide the students, staff and members of the public with a really fun and packed day of activity.”

The event will see 26 different sports, including table tennis, lacrosse, wheelchair basketball, ultimate frisbee and American football, available for people to have a go.

There will also be a Q&A with Beth, who will share her Olympic journey and answer questions, as well as free health checks.

Steve Curtis, Head of Sport and Student Life, at the University of Hull, said: “This is going to be an absolutely fantastic event. Encouraging people to get active is something we place a strong value on at Hull and is something we actively encourage through a range of programmes. I would encourage everyone who comes along to have a go at something new. It’s been a difficult year for our sports teams so to be a part of launching Team GBs Festival of Sport is fantastic. Having such a great Olympian and sport ambassador as Beth Tweddle on campus will really spur people on to come down and get active, which is what this is all about.”

The I Am Team GB (IATGB) Festival of Sport is designed to encourage thousands of people across the nation to get active.

As well as online activities, events will be run in communities to mark athletes’ homecoming and recognise the great sport feat of Team GB’s athletes in Tokyo.

The University of Hull will play host to one of these community events on Saturday, August 14, with a ‘5k Your Way’ event.

Team GB Commercial Director, Tim Ellerton, said: “The University of Hull are always proactive and forward thinking with their approach to bringing the partnership with Team GB to life. Their student body has a great focus on sport and encouraging people to try new activities today is at the heart of what I Am Team GB is all about. It promises to be an exciting day and it’s great for students to meet and engage with one of Team GB’s great Olympians in Beth Tweddle. It will be the perfect way to launch I Am Team GB, presented by Toyota, and carry on building excitement ahead of Tokyo 2020 starting in just one month’s time.”

Since it was announced in January 2019, the University’s partnership with Team GB has provided a diverse range of opportunities for staff and students – many of which go beyond a sports focus.

The I Am Team GB Festival of Sport and ‘Give It A Go’ event is the latest of these opportunities.

Other activities include an ongoing research project exploring British Olympic Champions of the past – the aim is to inspire current Team GB athletes to achieve success by connecting them to their athletic heritage – as well as a series of Team GB appearances where athletes have shared their personal goal-setting and medal-winning experiences with students. Additional highlights include a marketing challenge for first-year Business School students, a family sports event for local schools and colleges, competitive internships opportunities for students and the opportunity to volunteer at Team GB ‘Kitting Out’ events.

The University’s partnership with Team GB includes the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. The partnership is borne out of a synergy between the University’s ambitions and beliefs, and those of Team GB.

Read more about the exciting Hull University Team GB events and opportunities.

Photo credit © Getty Images

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